While reading the plethora of information about peoples’ preferences on what system is best to suit their purposes, I often see trends that people prefer to stick with either solid state equipment or tubes. Every person has a preference, but I believe that a compromise is in order.
For the past three decades, I’ve dedicated myself to solid state equipment. My favorite is Adcom due to its robustness, performance, and affordability. More recently though, I’ve read about how people are touting the new revolution of tubes. To better understand the chatter, I decided to investigate this trend by building some of my own tube amplifiers. I pieced together two Dynaco ST-70s to start my new hobby. I found them to sound very nice, but alas, I needed to tweak them until they were maintenance free.
Ultimately, the Dynaco units both ended up on my work bench so that I could integrate additional hardware to control the bias circutis. So, I was left without that TUBE SOUND that manny glass glowing followers appreciate.
In the interim, I found a super compromise where I could actually enjoy both. Between my my Adcom GTP-600 preamp and GFA-555II & GFA-2535 power amplifiers, I placed several tube buffers. My theory was that I could have the best of both worlds by integrating the tubes into the signal chain effectively without the host of excessive maintenance. The tube buffers are very simple to install and have no user adjustments…they are extremely stable. Again, I chose the Yaqin buffers due to their affordability. (We all have resource constraints…)
Ultimately, I have the tube sound with the very powerful capabilities of solid state power! The system pushes my Klipsch KM-6 and supporting speakers easily. I often tell people that my system can “part your hair right down the middle!”
- On another note, I plan to upgrade some of these components very soon. This will include a theater rennovation that I believe might make an interesting story. I’m always interested in hearing what others have to say on the subject of hybrid systems.
Brian Rosenau



